PKF strengthens female leadership in continental karate through the successful development of the Guardian Girls Karate program

The Panamerican Karate Federation (PKF) successfully developed the international Guardian Girls Karate program, held from June 12 to 15 at the facilities of the Olympic Committee in Mexico City. This event brought together women representatives from 17 national federations across our continent, with the purpose of strengthening female leadership, preventing gender-based violence, and empowering girls and women through karate.

Guardian Girls Karate is a global initiative founded and promoted by the Koyamada International Foundation (KIF), with the approval of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Karate Federation (WKF), and supported by the Panamerican Karate Federation (PKF) as part of its commitment to social development through sport.

The event was organized by the Mexican Karate Federation, led by its president, Lic. Samantha Desciderio, in coordination with the Mexican Olympic Committee, chaired by María José Alcalá. They welcomed the participating delegations and reaffirmed the commitment of the Mexican Olympic Committee and the host federation to the promotion and development of community-impact programs.

The President of the Panamerican Karate Federation, Dr. José García Maañón, was actively present and supported the program’s activities, highlighting the importance of consolidating initiatives that go beyond sports competition and contribute to building safer, more inclusive, and more equitable communities through the values of karate.

The program was led by distinguished international leaders, including:

• Carolina Koyamada, founder of Guardian Girls.
• Antonella Nanni, Legacy Programme Director.
• Xunashi Caballero, WKF-certified Guardian Girls instructor and coordinator responsible for the continental training.
• Mónica Irungaray, Director of the PKF Women’s Commission.

During four days of intense activity, participants from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the United States, Venezuela, and Grenada successfully completed the training process, obtaining their continental and WKF certification as Guardian Girls Karate instructors.

Likewise, together with PKF, experiences were shared, institutional ties were strengthened, and a women’s leadership network was consolidated. This network will continue promoting community development projects in each of their countries.

Since its creation in 2022, Guardian Girls Karate has expanded its reach through national federations affiliated with the WKF, promoting training programs, self-defense seminars, and actions focused on the prevention of gender-based violence.

For the Panamerican Karate Federation, the implementation of this program in Mexico represents a significant step in consolidating karate as a tool for social transformation, strengthening collaboration among KIF, UNFPA, WKF, PKF, the Mexican Olympic Committee, and Karate Mexico to continue generating opportunities that positively impact the lives of girls and women throughout the continent.

PKF recognizes the commitment of all participating federations and reaffirms its mission to continue promoting initiatives that, through karate, contribute to human development, equal opportunities, and the construction of a safer and more inclusive society for future generations.

Below, we share some photographs showing how this important event took place, reflecting the commitment, participation, and spirit of collaboration that characterized each day of work.